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Andes, Amazon & Galapagos Multi-sport, an active mainland Ecuador and Galapagos Islands tour
The iconic Blue Footed Boobie is only one of dozens of unique species you'll encounter on this Andes, Amazon & Galapagos tour of Ecuador
Duration: 12 days
4+ Passengers $3,195 per person
3 Passengers $3,343 per person
2 Passengers $3,925 per person
The great thing about multi-sport trips is that the activities are selected to make the most fabulous experience out of each destination. During this Ecuador adventure travel, you'll visit three national parks, observe diverse wildlife at close range, take in breathtaking vistas from extraordinary viewpoints and learn about indigenous life from villagers themselves. From the Andes to the Ecuador Amazon to the Galápagos, in just ten days, you'll pack more into one adventure vacation than you thought possible, staying in small private hotels, distinctive lodges and historic haciendas along these many roads less traveled. Expert guides will see to your comfort and add to your understanding of these diverse Ecuador landscapes and fascinating people. This multi-sport itinerary of mountain biking, hiking, whitewater rafting and ocean kayaking is the ultimate Ecuador adventure tour.
Andes, Amazon & Galapagos Multi-sport Itinerary
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Day 1 QUITO
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Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Upon early arrival, optional tours to museums or other Quito attractions can be arranged.
View Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Day 2 CLOUDFOREST ZIPLINE AND HORSEBACK RIDING or HIKING IN COTOPAXI
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In the morning, you'll depart from Quito, Ecuador by car, heading south through the famed Avenue of the Volcanoes, with spectacular views of the Pita Canyon River gorge and the Pasochoa Volcano foothills. The first of today's exciting adventures takes place in a cloud forest reserve starting with a short guided hike to the edge of the canyon for several thrilling zipline crossings. From there, you'll go on to the site of your next Ecuador adventure travel and this evening's lodgings at a local Hacienda. This 7,600-acre hacienda is rich in history and representative of the Chagra (Ecuadorian cowboy) culture. This hacienda has been in the same family for seven generations and was the first Ecuador hacienda to raise fighting bulls. After a traditional welcome tea, you'll be treated to a gourmet lunch featuring locally-produced Andean dishes. Then you'll don the gear of the Chagra, ponchos, chaps, and cowboy hats, for an unforgettable four-hour horseback ride through the hacienda's expansive grounds midst awe-inspiring volcano scenery (you may hike if you prefer). The hacienda still raises fighting bulls as well as producing potatoes, lima beans, quinoa and other high-altitude crops. Your Chagra guide will tend to the horses and share his knowledge of the hacienda's history and local flora and fauna along the way. The ride takes you up the slope of the Ruminahui Volcano where with luck you'll spot the amazing Andean condor, the world's largest flying bird. After this long eventful day, you'll spend a relaxing evening and have a restful night's sleep at the hacienda. (B,L,D)
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Day 3 MOUNTAIN BIKING AT COTOPAXI VOLCANO AND EXPLORE BAÑOS
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The route through Cotopaxi National Park crosses highland plateaus with stunning volcano vistas
After breakfast, you'll travel towards the base of the Cotopaxi Volcano to begin today's Ecuador mountain bike adventure following a safety briefing. We prepare our mountain bikes and explore the parks highland plateaus, endemic highland vegetation and wildlife. On our way we encounter llamas, wild horses, ducks, highland gulls and hawks. Riding mostly downhill to compensate for the high altitude, we arrive to the Pucara Inca Ruinsthe perfect place to learn about the Inca presence in the Cotopaxi area. Before exiting the park we also visit Limpiopungo Glacier Lake. Our journey continues through the Avenue of the Volcanoes. We arrive to the Salasaca community who are easily recognized by their distinctive colorful ponchos and dress. We meet a Salasaca family to share and learn about their way of life and weaving techniques. The Salasaca have a long relationship with the Agave cactus which is used in the making of clothing, drinks, ropes, and other daily essentials. We continue on to the subtropical Patate Valley and your local hacienda for a tasty dinner and a relaxing night's stay. (B,L,D)
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Day 4 BIKING TO THE AMAZON AND VISIT SHIRIPUNO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
This morning's drive takes you to the edge of Llanganates National Park, an area that extends from the high Andes down into the Amazon Basin. Gaining altitude, you'll come upon one of the best views of the often fuming Tungurahua Volcano for the start of today's scenic mountain bike trip. Beginning as highland paramo, the picturesque route of wild orchids, waterfalls, high rock walls and deep canyons transitions into mountain cloud forest before becoming lowland rainforest. We ride through a dry basalt gorge, a hot spot for wild orchids, and the canyon widens and deepens as we reach the Pastaza River Gorge which forms spectacular waterfalls. We stop to visit two of these waterfalls, Pailón del Diablo (Devils Cauldron) and Manto de la Novia (Brides Veil). We continue our drive down into the Amazon Basin. We reach Puyo, an Amazon frontier town where we will learn about balsa, bamboo and ceramic products. We continue through the Amazon highway until we reach our riverfront jungle lodge. In the afternoon we head out for a jungle walk. We will explore the ecosystem and search for species particular to the tropical lowland rainforest. We explore under the canopy for trees such as balsa, cedar, rubber, kapok and cinnamon, as well as many bromeliads, orchids, vines, ferns, insects and even reptiles. At the end of the day, you'll retire to your riverfront cabaña for a peaceful evening accompanied by sounds of the rainforest. (B,L,D)
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Day 5 JUNGLE RAFTING ON THE JATUNYACU RIVER PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS
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After breakfast at the lodge, you'll drive into a part of Llanganates National Park that has been declared a Biosphere Zone by UNESCO. The water that collects here forms the Jatunyacu River, considered the best one-day Ecuador whitewater rafting run. Before today's adventure begins, you'll walk in the rainforest to some naturally-formed swimming pools and have a safety briefing. Your rafting route of breathtaking landscapes, abundant birdlife and crystal clear water passes riverbank indigenous communities with small bamboo houses. The Jatunyacu is famed for its Class III and III+ rapids, its big waves, fun holes and high volume of water. In the afternoon, you'll drive back into the Andes, climbing from 1,500 to 10,000 feet to reach the Papallacta Hotsprings Resort and Spa, nestled in a cloud forest. First, we will stop to meet the Waira Churis. Also known as the Wind Dancers , this friendly group will share and teach us about their way of life, culture, and traditions. Many of these values will come to life through traditional dances, manly at one point rarely performed and nearly forgotten. We continue our journey through the Andes and through other national parks with great jungle scenery. In the evening, you'll relax in the therapeutic alkaline-rich natural thermal waters of Papallacta followed by a restful night in your lodgings. (B,L,D)
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Day 6 HIKING IN THE ANDES CAYAMBE COCA HIKE OTAVALO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
Relax in the therapeutic alkaline-rich natural thermal waters of Papallacta
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In the early morning we hike in the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve which is located on the shoulders of the Andes, the continental divide. The environment in this reserve is a mix of endemic highland paramo combined with cloud forest patches. Great amounts of water are retained in this sponge-like environment, amounting to the largest water system in the world. The reserve features a great number of lakes and wildlife such as dear, the elusive spectacle bear and the Andean Condor. We continue our drive north though the Inter Andean valleys until we reach the town of Otavalo. These proud indigenous communities have a rich cultural heritage made visible through their renowned markets, filled with colorful textiles and skillful handicrafts. We visit some of the local weavers who will share how this craft has been passed down for generations. After a late lunch, you will be returned to Quito to prepare for tomorrow's flight to the Galápagos Islands, spending the night in a boutique hotel. (B,L,D)
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Day 7 FLY TO GALAPAGOS AND HIKE IN SAN CRISTÓBAL ISLAND
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In the morning you will be transferred to the Quito airport for your flight to San Cristóbal Island. On arrival at this Galápagos Island, you will be welcomed with lunch and have an orientation about the islands at a local restaurant. On today's Galápagos tours, you hike first to the San Cristóbal Interpretative Center to learn about volcanic activity, natural history and evolution before continuing along lava rock trails towards Frigate Hill with splendid views of the coastline and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. You'll be in dry forest and observe cacti, acacia, palo santo, Galápagos cotton and other vegetation where great frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, gulls, herons and such land species as Darwin finches, warblers and mockingbirds may be observed. On your return, you'll stop for a refreshing swim at Carola Beach or Mann Beach. In the evening, you'll get acquainted with the town and dine at a waterfront restaurant before spending a relaxing night in a centrally located hotel in Puerto Moreno. (B,L,D)
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Day 8 SEA KAYAK PLAYA OCHOA AND SNORKEL AT LEON DORMIDO
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Today you'll explore the Galápagos Islands by ocean kayak, paddling along the coast into bays and coves full of fascinating wildlife. You'll visit Darwin Bay, the site of the first landing of Charles Darwin's sailing vessel, the HMS Beagle. The route is habitat for sea lions, marine turtles, blue-footed boobies, and frigatebirds. From Playa Ochoa, you'll go to nearby Isla Lobos, home to marine iguanas and a place where you may swim with sea lions. Continuing on to Leon Dormido, the jagged remains of an old tuff cone, where you'll observe thousands of seabirds. At Leon Dormido, you'll enjoy excellent snorkeling, and for certified divers, this is one of the best Galápagos Island dives. Here you'll have a good chance of seeing Galápagos sharks, eagle and golden rays as well as dozens of tropical fish species, starfish and marine invertebrates. You may even spot hammerhead and white-tipped shark. In the afternoon, you'll return to your hotel to enjoy another dinner and a final evening at your comfortable San Cristóbal Island hotel. (B,L,D)
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Day 9 FLIGHT TO ISABELA, TINTORERAS & BEACH EXPLORATION
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You're never more than a few arm's lengths from wildlife in the Galapagos
After breakfast, you'll take a private plane to Isabela Island. Isabela is the largest Galápagos Island, formed by five shield volcanoes, four of which remain active, making this one of the world's most volcanically active locations. Here, you'll visit the Galápagos Tortoise Rearing Center to learn about Galápagos tortoise development and conservation. You'll explore the bay in search of endemic Galápagos penguins and follow a coastline trail to observe dramatic lava formations and a large colony of sea lions, passing through mangroves and salty lagoons that are home to the endemic mangrove finch. You'll also spot American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos and many other shore birds. The afternoon is spent relaxing on exotic white sand beaches before going into the tranquil port town of Puerto Villamil for a leisurely evening and overnight stay. (B,L,D)
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Day 10 VOLCANO HIKE IN ISABELA
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Today you'll drive into the highlands of Isabela for the start of a six-mile Galápagos Island hike on irregular terrain to the rim of the Sierra Negra volcano. Sierra Negra is an active volcano that last erupted in October of 2005 and has the second largest caldera in the world, measuring five by six miles. You'll hike around the crater rim with fantastic views of the other Isabela volcanoes and the Perry Isthmus beyond. From here, you'll hike to Chico Volcano, with its puffing fumaroles and unusual lava formations, examples of the dramatic geological events that have forged the Galápagos Islands over millennia. In the late afternoon, you return to Puerto Villamil for a last evening and overnight stay in the "Enchanted Islands." (B,L,D)
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Day 11 FLIGHT TO BALTRA AND RETURN TO QUITO
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An early morning flight takes you from Isabela Island to Baltra Island to board your flight back to mainland Quito, Ecuador. Arrival and transfer to your hotel for the evening. (B)
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Day 12 QUITO
Transfer to the airport for the international departure home, the end of Southern Explorations services. If you are interested in more Galapagos tours, trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Quito, we would be happy to arrange them. (B)
View Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
ARTICLES & INFORMATION ABOUT GALAPAGOS
TOURS AND TRAVEL
CONTACT US
CALL
1.877.784.5400
TOLL FREE
OUTSIDE
THE U.S.A. CALL
1.206.784.8111
2010 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Saturday Departures
2 person minimum / 10 maximum
Mar
13-24 (8 spaces left)
Apr
17-28
May
08-19
Jun
12-23
Jul
17-28
Aug
08/21-09/01
Sep
18-29
Oct
10/23-11/03
Nov
11/27-12/08
Dec
18-29
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
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Included in tour cost
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- Bilingual English speaking naturalist guide
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- All land and sea transportation during the itinerary
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- All hotel accommodations in tourist superior hotels (on a twin share basis)
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- Continental breakfasts included at all hotels
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- Upgrades to first class hotels available
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- All meals as noted
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- Snorkeling gear
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- Sea kayaking gear
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- Mountain biking gear
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- International and domestic transfers
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- Local Quito representative
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- Southern Explorations pre-departure information
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Excluded in tour cost
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- International round trip airfare to and from Ecuador
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- Airfare (Quito / Galapagos / Quito)
Low Season - $365 (subject to change)
(May 1 - June 14 / Sept 15 - Oct 31)
High Season - $420 (subject to change)
(Jan 1 - April 30 / June 15 - Sept 14 / Nov 1 - Dec 31)
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- Hiking boots and other necessary sports gear
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- Lunches and dinners in the cities (unless otherwise specified)
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- Personal expenses (tips and gratuities, alcoholic beverages, medical or travel insurance, laundry, airport taxes, etc)
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- Wetsuit rental $35 for the week (recommended during May - November)
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- Galapagos Transit Control Card (10 USD)
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- Entrance fee to Galapagos National Park (100 USD)
PHYSICAL RATING
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Moderate
ACCOMMODATION
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9 Hotels & Haciendas
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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Additional $TBD
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- Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.
Prices based on 3% cash discount
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